Pushpa 2: The Rule, the highly anticipated sequel to 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise, is set to break box office benchmarks. Industry experts project it to surpass the record-breaking collections of Stree 2 and establish itself as one of Indian cinema's biggest hits. The film reunites the original star cast—Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj, Fahadh Faasil as Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, and Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli—in an action-packed conclusion to the epic rivalry.

Kamal Gianchandani, Chief Business Planning & Strategy at PVR Inox and CEO of PVR Inox Pictures, tells Fortune India, “With the kind of advance bookings and excitement we’ve seen, it’s almost certain that Pushpa 2 will exceed Stree 2’s collections—at least in Hindi.” Stree 2 set a benchmark earlier this year, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film with net box office collections of ₹640–650 crores (₹713 crores gross, including GST). PVR Inox is the country’s largest exhibitor with 1,745 screens.

“Stree 2 broke all records, even surpassing Jawan. For Pushpa 2 to top that, it will need sustained performance, not just during the opening weekend but across the second and third weeks as well,” says Gianchandani, who plans to catch the film on its first day, first show.

According to Karan Taurani, analyst at Elara Securities, Pushpa 2 is projected to gross ₹1,400 crore worldwide, with its Hindi version alone contributing ₹500 crore. The excitement is already palpable, with advance bookings for the film hitting ₹50 crore on Day 1, surpassing previous records set by Bahubali (₹45 crore) and Pathan (₹23 crore).

Analysts predict an extraordinary opening day gross box office collection (GBOC) of ₹200 crore, driven by Andhra Pradesh (₹100 crore) and Hindi-speaking regions (₹80 crore). The first weekend is expected to deliver a GBOC of ₹500 crore, with theatre occupancies soaring to 40%.

“Pushpa 2 is likely to set record-breaking collections as its popularity can be sensed through fan frenzy in core Hindi heartland -- Bihar during its trailer launch,” notes Taurani in his report.

The release of Pushpa 2 coincides with a strong December quarter lineup, including Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. This robust slate is expected to contribute to a 33% quarter-on-quarter growth in Hindi gross box office collections for Q3 FY25. Analysts also foresee a recovery in theatre occupancies and growth in spend-per-head metrics, signalling brighter days for exhibitors like PVR Inox.

“2024 initially seemed soft due to the lack of major star-studded releases, but it has turned out much better than expected,” says Gianchandani. Last year was an exceptional one, with the Indian box office crossing ₹12,000 crores for the first time. Pushpa 2 has the potential to replicate that magic.

While Pushpa 2’s Hindi version is expected to dominate, its Telugu and Tamil releases will further bolster its legacy. “We’re optimistic that the film will not only be the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year but also create a massive impact across regional markets,” says Gianchandani.

The film's success marks a resurgence in Indian cinema's theatrical appeal, with Pushpa 2 emerging as both a box office phenomenon and a cultural milestone.  With analysts predicting a 40% year-on-year growth in Hindi box office collections for Q3 FY25, driven by premium ticket pricing and increased ad revenue, Pushpa 2 could well provide the perfect finale to cap off the year on a high note.